My Birthday is Postponed

Just want to inform you that my birthday will be postponed until further notice. Not because I'm putting off turning (cough) 31 but because  how I'm going to spend my day today is not how anyone should have to spend their birthday.

Tomorrow we are having the appraisal done on our house and after a weekend with a houseful of extra kids I'm going to be spending today cleaning it and in the words of Annie, making it "shine like the top of the Chrysler Building".

Bubs woke up around 4:15 AM came into my room and said "happy Birthday Mom" I said thank you and thought...how sweet. Well around 4:30 AM I heard him sobbing in his room. When The Doctor asked him what was wrong he said "I have the worst sore throat ever". Well, the only time people use that phrase is when they are suffering from strep. The Doctor to a look and he most definitely has strep. So, I will get to take my son to the doctors office today. The boy probably came into my room today to tell me he wasn't feeling well and then decided to suck it up and tell me happy birthday and let me sleep instead. After a dose of IB profen he is sleeping the morning away.

I cancelled my Birthday lunch with some girlfriends and my Birthday dinner date with The Doctor. So, if you want to wish me a happy Birthday today that is fine but just know, today is not my birthday, at least not this year. I will be celebrating later at a date that is TBA.  Now I'm off to go scrub some toilets while I still have 2 kids sleeping.

Vacation at Last

I have been so busy lately getting my house from this....

 to this...

  that I have negelcted blogging.

Actually, that first picture was from when we retiled our kitchen floors last year and moved everything into the family room. It has not been that bad since then...at least I don't think so. We are moving this summer and I have had my work cut out for me in preparing my house to go on the market. I didn't realize what hoarders my husband and I were. We got rid of so much stuff and probably will have so much more to get rid of just before we move. I finally have my house the way I have wanted it for the last 4 years. Ahhhh it is nice. I will do a picture tour later. After all the work I put into it I needed a vacation bad so we went here...

The beaches of Destin, Florida were welcoming. It was our first family vacation in 8 years where it was an actual vacation. No work, weddings, or funerals involved. Just my family, the beach, pool, and a condo. It was amazing. I'll post pics later. Until then, just look at this white sand beach and crystal waters and imagine you are there soaking up the sun.

Fantasy Job

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in a paid focus group. If you didn't already know, you can get paid for your opinions. Anyway, the moderator asked us to introduce ourselves by saying our name, where we were born, and what our fantasy/dream job would be if we weren't doing what we are doing now. The first thing that popped into my mind was be a stay at home mom and raise my kids. This is something I have always wanted to be able to do and I'm doing it. I couldn't use that as my fantasy job. I was put on the spot and could not think of me so I said a "marriage and family therapist". What? how boring. What kind of fantasy is that? Sure I want to go back to school in the next 2-3 years and become a MFT but is that my fantasy job. I still couldn't think of anything...until others started saying what they their's was and then all sorts of ideas popped into my head. Here they are in no particular order.

• Author- children's, or mystery novels.
• massage therapist
• Chef
• I would love to have Samantha Brown's job and travel the world.
• Food critic
• write reviews on spas and retreats
• Singer (this is a big fantasy because I really can't sing)
• Dancer

What would be your fantasy job?

Happy New Year!

I sort of took a several week long break from blogging. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.  I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It was fun having the kids home for 2 weeks but it was also nice putting them on the bus this morning. It is much easier to keep my house clean when they are at school most of the day. I need to get used to keeping my house clean and picked up...I mean really clean and picked up. We are preparing to put our house on the market. It is a lot of work. The sad thing about it is I'm finally getting my house the way I have wanted it for the last 3 years.

This makes me think about one of my New Years Resolutions. I have the same I think every year. Every year I think "this year is going to be different, I'm going to really do it right" and every year I fail. I have some motivators this year. One of my resolutions is to get organized. Nothing like trying to sell your house to get you organized right? So, The Doctor and I have been going through everything and deciding: keep, sell, or thrash. I find it is much easier to get rid of things I have been holding onto with this move because we are moving to Alaska. Now the items have the potential of costing me more money to move them around since we will be charged by the space we take up when we move.

It is freeing to be getting rid of so much stuff. I love moving for the fact that I get to reorganize a brand new space but I hate it for all the work it is to get out of the old.  What is it you like or dislike about moving?

Where does the Time Go?

Where does the time go? One minute I have 8 hours to do something and the next I have 10 minutes. Can someone please find my year? There are only 3.5 more weeks left in the year and I don't know what I did with the rest of it. Sure, there are a couple of big events that I remember...2 week vacation to Utah, and Arizona in the summer and a 2 week trip most recently to Alaska and Arizona. I guess I can fill in the rest with school, cleaning, and watching TV.
I thought once I got 3 kids into school life would be less busy. Boy was I wrong. My kids aren't even involved in sports or music lessons yet (this will come next year). I have found that the time I thought I would have has been spent trying to catch up on all the things I'm behind on. Which in turn puts me behind on the things I should be doing. Plus, I feel the need to volunteer at my children's school once a week, which takes a couple of hours. I started a crochet group that meets at my house once a week and that takes a couple of hours as well. At least when the afghan we are working on gets finished we can go to meeting once a month instead of 4 times.

Having 3 kids in school also means having to remember the due dates of all their projects. Fortunately my Kindergartner doesn't have any but my pre k student comes home with a "family project" once a month. Don't get me wrong it is fun to do but when I get it on Friday and it is due Monday I have to re-arrange the weekend schedule to add one more thing. Na is in the gifted and talented program at school. I'm so happy my child is "gifted and talented" but this means more work on her end which translates to more due dates to remember and more work on my end. Currently we are trying to make a 3-d replica of The Forest Spiral building. 

The guidelines for making it are as follows:

1. Bigger than a shoe box but still able to fit on a desk.
2. Make it from items you would find around your house = don't spend a lot of money.
3. Make it impressive.

I am more stressed about this project then she is. Just trying to determine what materials to make it out of stressed me out. Once the decision was made to make homemade clay I relaxed. However, we started piecing it together last night and this morning there are cracks galore as it is starting to dry. I'm sure once we get it all assemble we can hide the cracks with paint.  This replica is going to be very heavy. I can tell I will be the one carrying it in. At least we came up with the idea of putting the clay around hollow items so it isn't as heavy as it could be. I just hope and pray the clay will be dry by this weekend so we ( I mean she) can start painting it.
At least now I can check Write on Blog off of my list of things to do.

Be Respectful

I was looking through blogs in my google reader account and came across this post in a blog I follow and it got me thinking about bullies. There is so much hatred going on in the world today.  I don't like it. I don't like how it makes me feel and I don't like how it makes others feel. When I think of all the bullying that goes on in school because a kid wears glasses, is too fat, is poor, is not athletic enough etc. it makes me sick.  I hate when I get treated differently just because I'm a "Mormon". When people get to know me they see that I'm an nice, genuine, and honest person. Before you judge someone take the time to get to know their true colors.
While I may not agree with the homosexual lifestyle the men and women who live this way are still human beings. They have a right to be treated with respect just like anyone else.

Tired of Body Fluids

This post may be gross to some but it is true. I am tired of body fluids. They are a part of a mother's life though. I'm trying to potty train KMae. For the most part she does pretty good but once everyone gets home for school I tend to forget that she is in panties and she gets so excited playing with her siblings that she forgets to make it to the bathroom. I now need to clean my carpets.

LuLu came home yesterday and I could tell by looking at her that she wasn't feeling well. With in an hour she threw up. Fortunately, she only did it the one time but that was enough thank you very much. My couch cushions got a thorough cleaning.

Bubs is a deep sleeper. This came in handy when he was a baby but now that he is getting older it is a problem. He sleeps so deep that he doesn't wake up to use the bathroom. I can't let him fall asleep for a nap on the couch because he will have an accident. Well, in an effort to get him out of  the Good Night pull up I purchased a malem Enuresis alarm. It is a little box that vibrates and makes fairly loud alarm sound whenever it senses moisture. Night 1 he slept through the alarm 3 times which also meant I had to wake him up and get him changed and change the bedding 3 times in the night. I love waking up to a full load of laundry that needs to be done. Night 2 the alarm went off once and fortunately he did somewhat wake up. Night 3 he stayed dry but last night he slept through the alarm twice.  It is an awful sound and I have no problem hearing it and waking up but he just sleeps through it and I have to stand him up to get him to wake up. When it went off last night I was so disoriented. I hopped out of bed and walked to one of my bedroom walls right next to my bed and searched for the button to turn off the noise. I guess I thought it was the house alarm or something. We don't even have a keypad in my room for the house alarm but I was desperately trying to find something to stop the noise. When I woke up enough to realize what I was doing and what was going on I stumbled to his room where he was still asleep. Oh I hope this gets better. It can take at least 6 weeks to see results. Once we have completed 6 weeks I'll write a review.

I have been battling allergies which is causing my eyes to water and noise to run. Seriously, I've had enough of the body fluids.

Welcome Fall

I think fall officially started a couple of weeks ago but it is showing it's face in my part of the country now. We have finally had temperatures below 90 degrees and the evenings are actually cooling off to the 60's. I looked out my window today to see some leaves are beginning to fall off of my Peach tree. I can hear leaves rustling down the street with the gentle breeze. At last it feels right to change my scent in my scentsy warmer to a fall scent like Autumn Sunset or Pumpkin Roll. I love fall. I'm so glad it has come and brought me a little chill in the air (at least in the mornings).

Disapointed

I hate when I have my hopes high or really look forward to something only to be disappointed. Last television viewing season I fell in love with Glee. I love music and dancing so when I saw there was a TV show that combined both I was happy. There were a few episodes that had some questionable material but all in all when the episode was finished I can say I laughed and my spirits were higher. I was so looking forward to a new season.

picture Source

Well, the new season has come and the happy feelings are gone. The last 2 episodes have left me embarrassed, ashamed, and I felt like I needed to wash my eyes and ears of the things I bore witness too. I can no longer tell my friends and family how much I love this show. I'm disappointed in myself for not turning the shows off. I'm also disappointed in the writers and producers who feel it is okay to lure me in with goodness just to dash it away with trash.

I am no longer a Gleek. I have canceled my DVR programming to record it. I have better things to do during that time then to let my mind be filled with idol worship and sexual innuendos.

Letter to the Football Players

Dear Brigham Young University football players and the San Fransisco 49Ers,
    
     I understand the season is just beginning but I have a huge favor to ask. Could you please make it a winning season because I'm not so sure my marriage will survive a season of games like the last ones you just played.
     I don't know if you realize this or not but your success and failures have a dramatic affect on my husbands personality. When you win all is right in the world. My husband is in his own little happy place and I get to go shopping. When you lose I get to hear my husband go over every single play as if he were the coach. He mopes and mourns his loss for days.
     After this last weekend my children and I are really missing their happy go lucky daddy. So, please pull out a win here soon because it would be nice to see some sunshine following my husband again and I could really use a new pair of shoes.

Sincerely,
 wife of a devoted fan.

My Dream House

(picture this house minus the alpacas. source)

The Doctor finishes his medical residency next year so we are in the process of finding a job which means a new place to live. I have wasted many hours looking at houses online in places we may or may not move to. Not to mention the houses I'm looking at today most likely will not be available next summer. We would love to just get back to the mountain west but. I've looked in Arizona, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Texas. It is amazing how different the housing is across the country. In one place a house within our budget gets us a 3-4 bedroom house approx 2500 sq ft and in another location for the same price we could get a 3500 sq ft house on 5 acres with a pool. All of this looking has really got me thinking about what my dream house would look like.

I want a white farm house on at least one acre. The house will have charcoal shutters and a red front door. I dream of having a covered porch that wraps around from the front to the back of the house. Several rocking chairs and perhaps a swing will grace my front porch perfect for relaxing on summer evenings.

When you walk through the front door a music room/living room will be on the left and perhaps a formal dining room on the right. Straight ahead will be stairs taking me to the second floor. To the right of the stairs is the path strait to the kitchen.  A big kitchen with granite countertops, dual ovens, and a sink that overlooks the back yard. There will be plenty of counterspace for entertaining. To the left of the kitchen (connecting to the music room/living room) is the family room. Off the kitchen to the right will be the mud/laundry room.
From the front foyer there is a hall that leads to the right past the formal dining room. Down this hall will be The Doctor's office/library. In addition to a desk it will have floor to ceiling bookshelves which will be filled with our favorite books. There will be 2 big fluffy reading chairs by a window. Further down the hall will be my office/craft room. Built in shelves and drawers will house all my rubber stamps, inks, papers, yarn, and fabric.

The upstairs of the house will have 4 bedrooms and 2 or 3 bathrooms. The master bedroom will be more of a master suite. There will be room for a bed as well as a nice sitting area. The master bathroom will have a big jacuzzi tub and a dual head shower.

The basement of the house will have a game room complete with a pool/ping pong table. A home theatre would be nice too. I will also have a great big room for storage. Half of the room will be for food storage and the other half will be for what ever else I have to store.

This house is just a dream for now but hopefully one day it will be a reality.

First Day of School

(Lulu, Na, and Bubs standing outside their school. Na didn't want me to walk her to her class and I told her too bad. It is my right as her mother to walk her to her class on her first day of school and I plan on doing it until she enters middle school)

The day has finally come to send my kids back to school. I love this time of year. Could be my love for school supplies and organization stuff that goes on sale this time of year but I think it is more because my days get a little less crazy. I love my children and I love being with them. What I don't love is the constant mess that follows them where ever they go. I call them my Texas tornadoes. I have yet to master getting them to clean up after themselves. So, when they are in school my house will look the same all day long. What little mess they make after school they get cleaned up before bed.

Today I've been reading the FB statuses of many of my friends. I think all but one have been along the lines of the separation anxiety the parents are feeling having their kids gone from them all day. I admit, I went through this when my oldest started Kindergarten. I watched the clock all day long the first week. After the first weekend I was fine and ready for her to go back to school. Am I a bad mom because I didn't watch the clock all day? Am I a bad mom because I want my children to be at school? These thoughts have been entering my mind today and just as the guilt starts to creep in I remind myself that my kids are smart and I have raised them to be successful independent children. My children are capable of many things because I have allowed them to be. I know my kids can make it through a school day with out me. I also know that they are surrounded by many loving and caring adults who who want what is best for them just like I do. However, when they get off the bus in a little bit, I'll be waiting with open arms and some cookies to hear all about their first day of school.

When I Asked You....

to take out the trash I didn't mean smash it further down into the can so more trash can fit on top. This makes the bag tear from the weight of the trash when I pull it out to do to what I originally asked you to do.

When I asked you to fold the towels and put them away I didn't mean shove as many of you can into the drawer so it no longer opens.

When I asked you to pick up your toys I didn't mean pick them up and move them over by a foot or two.

When I asked you to put your shoes on 10 minutes before we were leaving the house I didn't mean watch 10 more minutes of TV and then run around crying to find your shoes while I'm heading out the door.

When I asked you to clean up the paper crafts you pulled out that doesn't mean stack them in a pile and place it by the computer.

It seems I need a translator in my house.

The Doctor's Wife

I don't remember dreaming I would marry a doctor when I was little. It was not on my checklist for my future husband. I did have an assignment in a class in college where I had to write about my life 20 years in the future. I wrote that my husband would be a cardiologist. I think I chose that field because I knew they made a bunch of money. I didn't really believe I would marry a doctor.

Well, about 10 months later I got married. I didn't marry a doctor. I married a man who was pre med. We finished undergrad at BYU together. Then we went to medical school. By "we" I mean he went to school and I supported him but anyone who is married to a med student knows that both of you are in it together.

Now we are in our last year of residency and I am married to a doctor. I'm still trying to get used to it. It has its advantages and disadvantages.
When I get sick and can't get in to see my regular doctor I just tell my husband. He gets an attending to write an antibiotic for me. The disadvantage is he's seen so much worse than a sore throat so I get no sympathy.

Another advantage/disadvantage I came across this past weekend. Some family members(my side, not his) will no longer consider you family, you will be known as "his wife". This can be an advantage if you don't care to be related to this part of your family. But it is a disadvantage when you do care to be related to this side and they choose the "Doctor". I will give an example to help this all make sense.

(side note before I tell the story. If by chance individuals involved read this, please know I'm not offended in any way. I find it humorous)

This past weekend my Aunt and Uncle celebrated their 5oth wedding anniversary. A momentous occasion. We went to their celebration. Upon walking in we find my Aunt visiting with some friends so we go and congratulate her. She didn't introduce me to the people she was with but instead introduced her nephew as "the Doctor" in the family. Shortly thereafter "The Doctor" left the circle to visit with some cousins and at that point I was introduced as "the Wife" of "The Doctor" and also as C's (my mother) youngest daughter. About 30 minutes later we were standing near my Aunt again conversing with her daughter when she interrupted to introduce her sister, whom I have never met, to "the Doctor". I was standing right next to him and wasn't introduced until 5-10 minutes later when she had stopped talking about "The Doctor". Now, any one of these instances alone does not mean anything but, when I put these 2 together with something I experienced earlier in the week I see a trend. I was at Walmart earlier in the week and ran into an older couple from my church. They stated "so you are married to R and A's nephew." I corrected them saying that I was their niece and he was married to me. So, somewhere along the line I became known as the wife of the Doctor and not their niece. Trust me, this may have some perks to it down the road.

I'm sure when we finish residency I will be known as "the Wife" in many other circles. I'm okay with that because in my home I'm known as Mom and that is more important than any other title I could hold.

One Dress Now and 26 Years Ago

Yesterday I took LuLu to get her pictures taken. She picked which dress she wanted to wear and it happend to be the dress I wore for my Kindergarten pictures. Looking at my picture I'd say my daughter looks older at age 4 then I looked at age 6.

It was fun sharing this moment with my daughter. I'm grateful my mom saved a few of my childhood outfits that I didn't manage to destroy being a kid.

My Bucket List

I didn't think this would be hard but it was tricky after #50. I have lots of traveling to do.

1. Get Married in the Temple
2. Become a mom
3. travel to England
4. visit all 50 US states
5. swim with dolphins
6. visit a country south of Mexico
7. Scuba dive
8. visit the Great Barrier reef
9. Travel to New Zealand
10. Serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
11. Go on a cruise
12. Get a college degree
13. go to massage therapy school
14. go to cosmetology school
15. Go to culinary arts school
16. Go to China
17. attend the Olympic games (summer or winter)
18. Take a cake decorating class
19. knit socks
20. Go para sailing
21. Be on the Amazing Race with my husband
22. Take my children to Disney World
23. Drive from coast to coast in an RV
24. See the worlds largest ball of yarn.
25. Visit New York City at Christmas
26. Go on an African Safari
27. Have an apt 1 reunion
28. own a house on some land.
29. Visit Paris
30. write my life story
31. Visit Jerusalem
32. Visit Spain
33. Go on a week long vacation with hubby with out the kids
34. Take ballroom dance classes
35. Learn to clog or tap
36. Learn to water ski
37. Get my kicks on route 66
38. Visit Graceland
39. visit the Grand Ole Opry
40. Try Escargot
41. Visit Rome
42. go Back packing
43. Learn to crochet
44. Visit all the LDS Temples in Utah
45. Make a wedding cake
46. write/publish a children's book
47. see a performance on Broadway
48. attend a live performance of Les Miserables with my husband
49. Pet a tiger or lion (I love big Cats)
50. View a whale in the wild
51. visit Egypt
52. Ride a camel
53. Tour my husbands mission to Venezuela
54. Take a boat across the Panama canal
55. visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
56. visit the Taj Mahal
57. Visit Stonehenge
58. Visit the Great wall of China
59. Visit Ground zero
60. climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty
61. Ride a Trolley in San Fransisco
62. Drive across the Golden Gait Bridge
63. Travel to Antarctica
64. Visit Machu Picchu
65. Tour the White House
66. Drive across the Brooklyn Bridge
67. Eat Belgium chocolates in Belgium
68. Drive a motorcycle
69. Dance in the rain
70. Go White Water rafting
71. Have at least 50 followers on my blog (almost there)
72. Own a purse that costs more than $10
73. Take a homeless person out to lunch or dinner to a place that doesn't serve fast food.
74. See Wicked
75. Go fishing in Alaska
76. Go deep sea fishing
77. Own a hot tub
78. Own an unpractical yet amazing pair of shoes.
79. Stop biting my finger nails
80. Camp at the Grand Canyon
81. Go Polar bear swimming
82. visit a rain forest
83. see Punxsutawney Phil
84. See the Eiffel tower
85. Witness a miracle
86. Visit Time's Square
87. Ice skate in Central Park
88. Go surfing
89. Bungee Jump
90. Attend the Nauvoo Temple
91. Knit an adult sweater
92. Go shopping on Rodeo drive
93. Own a cabin in the mountains
94. Own Snowmobiles
95. Own 4-wheelers
96. Get a dog
97. See Angel falls up close
98. Be debt free
99. Catch a shark
100. Write a bucket list

I Get It

I have many friends who are addicted to their diet drink. During the school year my best friend has her routine of dropping her kids off at school and then going through the drive through at Mc. D's or Sonic to get her diet drink (hold the ice so there is more ). I assume this addiction is related to the caffeine in the beverage and they need it to get through the morning since they don't drink coffee. I don't drink caffeine so perhaps this is why I don't get it. Or at least I didn't get it until a few weeks ago.

I still don't drink caffeine but ever since my trip to Utah I have found my own addiction to Root Beer growing. My in laws had several bottles of it and we seemed to have some with every meal. Once I got back home I found myself craving root beer. I think about it while I'm eating breakfast. I think about it when I'm eating lunch. I think about it while I'm doing just about everything. Yes, I have stopped at Sonic to get a root beer. I'm trying to control this craving but, when the grocery store gives me a 12 pack for free just for buying some meat I'm going to take it by golly. Just a second...I need to go get a can now.

Ahhhhhh. That's better.

It's that moment I take the first sip. Everything stands still but the bubbles dancing in my mouth and down my throat as I swallow. It is cold and refreshing on a hot summer day. The blast of flavor is invigorating compared to my usual water. While I don't think I will be frequenting my Sonic or Mc. D's on a regular basis to get the beverage I can understand why my friends do. I'm going to get control of this addiction before it takes control of me....just as soon as I finish this can.

Doing Gods Work

Things are always a little more crazy around my house in the summertime. With all 4 kids home there is more bickering and more whining and I get worn down quickly. But videos like this one give me the strength and the inspiration to continue doing my best. I love my children and I love being a mother and I'm so glad God saw me fit to be the mother of these 4 little angels.

Delays

I'm visiting some family in Arizona right now. We were actually supposed to leave today for Utah but yesterday our AC seized in our vehicle and died. No AC in AZ is no fun. Today got to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm grateful we were able to spend the time at the pool instead of at the car dealership with the car getting repaired. $1200 later we have our van supposedly fixed. Well, it blows air but it isn't cold. One would think $1200 would get us an ice box. We drove around for 10 minutes and the air maybe got to be about 5 degrees cooler than outside. So not happy right now and the dealership is closed so, we either have to stay here another day or we can leave tomorrow and take the vehicle to another dealership since the work is under warranty. I think we are going to press on and leave around 4 or 5 AM that way we are out of AZ by the time the temp gets really hot. So, why am I telling you this? This means I can't post the results for the $25 Costco gift card and Snack Pack giveaway until Wednesday so, if you haven't already entered you can do so still. Go here to do it.

Last Day of School

The last day of school has arrived for us at last. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm glad to not have to get up at 6:30 AM every morning. It will be so nice not having a schedule. My son was in half day preschool and his session was the second half of the day. For one school year my scheduled revolved around whether or not I could get Bubs to school on time or be home in time for when the kids got back from school. I look forward to next year when both Na and Bubs are in school full time. Alas, Lou Lou will be going half day. I like schedules but there are sometimes I just like to be spontaneous and the school schedule doesn't give much flexibility for that.

The children however, are not as excited. Na loves school and learning. She told me this morning she is so sad to be leaving her teacher. She loves her teacher and I'm grateful for Mrs. R. and what she had done for my daughter this year. Na thrives with a schedule. I'm going to have to come up with some sort of schedule for Na to last through the summer. She has to know what we will be doing ahead of time and if I change things up a bit she has a minor meltdown. We have made progress though because the meltdowns used to be major. Bubs just loves to be with his friends. I can tell I need to make lots of play dates.

I bid farewell to this school year. It went to fast but I know the summer will go just as fast. So, I better get off the computer and enjoy the last day of a semi-quiet house.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $25 Costco gift card and Nature Valley/Fruit Roll Ups snack pack.